Kitgum Hospital boss arrested over missing funds

By Patrick Okidi

The Directorate of State House Medicine and Health Service Delivery Monitoring Unit is investigating an alleged abuse of office and failure to account for over sh77m in Kitgum hospital.

Dr. Diana Atwine, the director of the unit told New Vision that four of Kitgum Hospital staff recorded statements and the police was investigating failure by the hospital to account for the funds meant to treat victims of Nodding disease syndrome.

Last week, the former Medical Superintendent of Kitgum Hospital Dr. Alex Layoo, now serving as District Health Officer (DHO) of Pader, was arrested by police and transferred to Kampala after for allegedly failing to account for the sh77m.

“We called Dr. Layoo to come and record a statement and he refused, forcing us to send the police to arrest him,” said Dr. Atwine.

Last month the police in Kitgum arrested Omoya Benzi Peter (Hospital administrator), Okello Watson (hospital accountant) and Kidega Robin (acting hospital administrator) and their cases have been registered in Kitgum Central Police Station under CRB 1068/2013.